Review Responses:

XxAnime159xX: Oh I didn't see Klaus as a sweetheart - I felt that I made him an inattentive, workaholic husband! I'll try my best to make him a jerk in the upcoming chapters, LOL. (O∆O)

pretty-on-point: Haha, OMG, you're right! I forgot that my other works didn't have a Shurisu kiss! Ahh, I should have worded it differently! Julie is the only single woman that Klaus is trying to set Shun up with - I'm so sorry about that! Well, I'm happy that you liked that chapter and don't worry, Shun took off his outer clothing ahead of time! (〃▽〃)

cherry-tree-of-life: Not going to lie, Shun did a lot more in two years than I ever did in my entire life, haha. LOL, I can hardly imagine what Mylene's reaction would be had she caught our two reunited lovebirds - it won't be a pretty sight. :(´◦ω◦｀):

Innocent-Diamond: Shun and "Around the World in Eighty Days" have a lot of similarities, although I'm sure that Phileas Fogg didn't say in one part of the world for months on end, haha! Shun and Alice in this story are having more physical contact than what we see in the anime and in my other works, LMAO. Jokes aside though, Shun did take off his outer clothing so hopefully that'll put you to ease a bit! Oh, I didn't know that blueberries were in season for summer! I always thought they were more of a spring fruit for some reason, LOL. (o´・ω・｀)ﾉ

MagicxMusicxMelody: Indeed, if Ren and Fabia fell in love earlier, then Shun would have left Neathia a lot earlier than 6 months. Oh, thank you for reading my one-shot! I won't say anything now, but there is a possibility of a runaway Alice...hint hint, wink wink. So I've tried durian and jackfruit, but I've never heard of mangosteen before until now! If I ever find it, I'll definitely give it a try~! (ㆆᴗㆆ)

Guest: Ooh, I've heard of Mino's 'Fiance' before but never got the chance to listen to it! I'll definitely check it out now! (ᗒᗨᗕ)

Chapter 7

"I must have saved a nation."

"What?"

"I must have saved a nation or done something extraordinary in my past life to have you with me." Alice's head, which was resting on Shun's chest, turned to face the wall alongside the rest of her body, her cheeks aflame from his sincere words. It had almost become a routine at this point; he would come over to visit her during at night time and they would spend it wrapped in each other's embrace. They were currently laying on her bed with their bodies pressed against each other's.

"Don't - don't say such things." She stuttered out as he let out an amused chuckle at her antics, running his fingers through her hair.

"It is true, though. There is no other explanation as to how I am able to have you in my life." Shun rolled her over so that her head would rest against his arm whilst his other free hand played with her hair.

"There is always fate." Alice mused as she traced nonsensical patterns on his chest. "There are millions and millions upon people in this world and somehow, we were lucky to have met each other."

"There are millions and millions upon people in this world," Her lover repeated, slowly, "and the universe has managed to allow us to find each other."

"I suppose our situation could be a bit better." The redhead admitted. "I didn't exactly want to meet you again like this."

"Our situation could have been better, yes, but I am grateful to have found you again." The moonlight peaking through her silk curtains illuminated his fond smile. "Thank you for waiting."

"Thank you for coming back." Was the last thing she said before his lips captured hers in a kiss. Alice wasn't a very religious person. She wasn't one to believe in fate or destiny or whatever it was that they spoke about in church. But, she had to admit, as they broke apart from their kiss to avert their gaze back to each other, she couldn't help but feel that they were destined to meet...

...

"...Have you ever been to the kingdom of New Vestroia, Mylene? Oh, it is absolutely marvelous over there! It's nothing like here in Wardington! Everything was so different and new and exciting! Not to mention the handsome men over there! You are from New Vestroia, aren't you, Mylene? Have you ever heard of Duke Hydron? He is so handsome and he's awfully wealthy! If only he wasn't so rude and arrogant, I'd have allowed him to court me in a heartbeat! And there was King Keith! I've met his sister, the Princess Mira, and she's very tomboyish! Just think, Mylene, she hadn't bothered to wear a corset! Can you believe it? Not wearing a corset! Why I would never - " Alice had neared the entryway of the dining room when she found an energetic Julie chatting away to a slowly reddening Mylene. The young Mrs. von Hertzon had to try her absolute hardest to hide her laughter, as it was not often she saw an irritated Mylene stifling her annoyance. The bluenette housekeeper was glaring daggers at the oblivious silver-haired female all the while faking a polite smile that looked more and more like a grimace with every passing second.

"Good morning, Mylene - oh, Julie! I didn't know that you were coming over for breakfast this morning." The redhead female finally appeared in the dining room, acting as if she had not seen the entire scene between her friend and her housekeeper.

"Mrs. von Hertzon." Alice nearly laughed once more as she heard the suppressed sigh of relief that nearly escaped from Mylene. "Miss Makimoto came over just a few moments ago. It is quite ... unexpected. Forgive me for not informing you earlier." The bluenette bowed slightly. "Let me fetch the maids to get you your breakfast." With that, the housekeeper scurried away into the direction of the kitchen, walking faster than Alice had ever saw her walk before.

"Good morning, Alice! I'm so sorry for coming over uninvited but I haven't seen you in such a long time and I missed you so much!" Julie piped in excitedly as Alice took a seat next to the silver-haired female, as the other head of the table was reserved for Klaus.

"I don't mind at all Julie - I do enjoy your visits very much." The redhead female smiled just as her husband entered the dining room.

"Ali - oh! Julie! What a surprise!" Klaus seemed pleasantly surprised as he took a seat at the other head of the table. "Had I known you were going to be joining us for breakfast, we wouldn't have allowed you to wait that long for us."

Julie waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense, Klaus, I should be the one apologizing - after all, I did show up unexpectedly and besides, Mylene kept me company." Leaning over to Alice, she whispered, "Do you suppose that Mylene is coming down with something? She looked absolutely red the entire time I spoke with her! I suspect that she must be coming down with a fever."

Unable to respond, the redhead could only suppress the grin that was threatening to appear on her lips and shook her head.

"Regardless, you are always welcome here, Julie." The silver-haired male smiled, politely, pausing as he thanked the maids who brought out the breakfast. Pieces of toast and eggs were stacked up high on dainty, china plates. A stick of butter and small jars of honey and jam laid to the side along with the salt shaker.

"What brings you here, Julie?" She asked her friend, spreading an even layer of strawberry jam on her piece of toast.

"About your dinner party, of course!" Said female squealed excitedly. "How did it go? Did you mention me to Mr. Kazami?" At that, Alice nearly choked on her toast - she had forgotten about Julie's infatuation with her childhood lover.

"Ah, yes. W - Well...a - about that." Klaus stuttered feebly and the redhead found herself disgusted by how relieved she felt about her husband breaking the news to Julie that Shun wasn't interested in her. Or any other woman besides her for that matter. "I - I've asked him twice if he would like to meet you and he refused. Both times."

"What?! But that's impossible!" Julie pouted childishly, heaving a sigh. "Did you ask him why he wouldn't want to even meet with me, Klaus?"

"Well, I asked him if he was still a bachelor and he responded that he was." Said male responded slowly as he took a sip from his porcelain cup of black tea. "That was then when I asked him if he would like to meet you and he refused, saying that there is already a woman that he loves. Unfortunately, she is already married. That was then when I tried again if he would like to meet you and again, he declined."

"Oh! Oh, how romantic!" The silver-haired female gushed. "Oh, isn't it romantic, Alice? Mr. Kazami is so in love with this woman that he wouldn't even look at other women, even though his beloved is already married!" She let out a dreamy sigh. "I suppose I can't stay mad at him for refusing to meet me. Oh, how I wish there are other men like Mr. Kazami out there, unlike someone I know." Julie huffed as she went on yet another rant about how upset she was at Billy for leaving her without so much as a good-bye and while Alice would usually listen to her friend, she found herself unable to pay attention as she was flooded with an odd sense of relief that she didn't know she would feel.

...

"Which one do you think like better, Alice? The green one or the blue one?" Alice looked up through her tired eyes to find Julie holding two ballgowns of either said color in either hand.

"They both look lovely, Julie." She managed a tight smile back. After breakfast, the silver-haired female suggested that they spend the day shopping while Klaus went to work. While she hadn't exactly wanted to spend her day shopping as she much preferred to spend the day with a nice book and a cup of tea, she found herself feeling obligated to go. After all, Julie had gave up on the idea of meeting and possibly courting Shun and Alice felt as if she ought to thank her in a way, hence why she had agreed to go shopping with the younger female. She didn't regret her decision the first hour they went shopping but seeing as they had left the manor mid-morning and it was now late afternoon, Alice wanted nothing more than to go home.

"Oh, I know that they are both lovely, but which one do you think will be better suited for the ball?" Julie pouted as she stared at a shop mirror, alternating between the two dresses.

"What ball?" Alice asked, trying her hardest to at least sound interested.

"Father told me that Mr. Barodius is having another ball a few weeks from now for his son to find a suitor, if not, a wife. I thought Klaus would have told you that?" The silver-haired raised an eyebrow towards the redhead before giving another glance back at the gloves. "Oh, I don't know..." She sighed as she studied the dresses once more.

"It is getting late and we ought to be going back home. The ball's not until a few more weeks and you have plenty of time to think about which one you want." The young Mrs. von Hertzon coaxed, desperate to get back home.

"These aren't for me, Alice, these are for you!" Julie corrected her, gesturing for her to come to where she was. "Green and blue really aren't my colors - I much prefer pink, after all."

"I have so many gowns, Julie, I - "

"Nonsense! There are no such things as too many dresses! The silver-haired female interrupted, cheerfully. "Besides, we've shopped the entire day and you haven't bought anything!"

"I bought a book." Alice replied defensively. The entire time they were shopping, she had only managed to buy a book that she had been eyeing for quite some time while her companion had bought various items from new jewelry to new shoes and whatnot. The redhead wasn't all that much into the latest dresses and fashions and found that the dresses and shoes and accessories she had at home were suffice.

"Well, yes, but as your friend, I simply cannot allow you to wear gowns that are out of style!" Julie let out a huff. "Please, Alice, for me?" Alice nearly laughed when at her friend's signature pout that she always did when she wanted to get her way and found herself unable to resist it much longer.

"All right." She sighed, giving in. "What do we have here?"

"Puffed sleeved dresses!" Julie trilled as she thrust the blue dress in front of her face. "They are awfully fashionable nowadays - everyone is wearing them!"

"They do seem rather silly." She admitted as she studied the sleeves. It resembled a balloon, more than anything.

"Nonsense! It's just the new style, that's all!" Her friend insisted, holding either dress on either one of her hands. "Which one do you like? I know that you like yellow the most, but I figured that your wardrobe could use a bit more color."

Alice studied the dresses. One dress was in a soft, light blue shade. She always had a partial liking to soft or pastel colors and the blue gown seemed like something she could find in her closest. She averted her gaze to the other dress, which was in a rather bold, emerald green. There were hardly any bold colored dresses in her wardrobe, but the sight of a certain green-clad man crossed her mind and she knew immediately which dress she wanted.

"I'll take the green one."

...

"Long day?"

"Hmm." Alice hummed as she rested a cheek on her lover's shoulder. They were sitting side by side outside on her balcony, gazing up at the night sky, sharing a blanket to shield them from the chilly night air. "I went shopping with Julie Makimoto, the woman Klaus is trying to set you up with."

Shun let out an incredulous scoff. "Don't remind me. How did it go?"

"Julie's awfully sweet - when Klaus told her about how you were still in love with someone else, she immediately backed down. Well, she persuaded me into buying a dress for Mr. Barodius' ball. Are you going?" She tore her gaze from the bright, full moon to look at her lover.

"Klaus invited me and I told him that I would think about it. Quite honestly, I didn't really want to go - they bored me to death more often than not. But," A small smile crossed his lips as he pressed a kiss on her forehead, making her eyes flutter shut at the gesture, "if it means that I'll get to see you, then I'll go."

End of Chapter 7.

Note: So...you're probably wondering why this chapter is so horrible...to be honest, I'm wondering that, too, LOL. All jokes aside, I have had writer's block for nearly all of my stories so far - I have a feeling that even if I do take a year to think about it, the chapter will still be sucky so hey, why not post a bad chapter earlier than later? - and this chapter is essentially a 'write-something-so-that-I-can-actually-get-out-of-my-writing-slump' chapter...if that makes sense. Anyways, enough with the self-deprecation! Julie's backing away from Shun! I can feel the tension easing away from Alice towards Julie about that, LOL. Honestly though, that was such an elegant move by Julie so that she wouldn't come between Shun and his 'mystery woman' - we need more people like Julie in real life. Did anyone catch my not-so-subtle subtle hint at those dresses, LOL? Anyways, I apologize for this sorry excuse of a chapter, but I'll try my absolute best in the next one! Please let me know what you thought and I will see you in the *hopefully* better one! (இ﹏இ`｡)